Exodus, ‘Class Dismissed (A Hate Primer)’ — New Song

The last Exodus album, 2007's 'The Atrocity Exhibition -- Exhibit A,' was a scathing condemnation of organized religion and the millions of lives that have been extinguished in the name of God. For the follow-up, 'Exhibit B: The Human Condition,' lyricist and main songwriter Gary Holt telescoped his venom on the inherent brutality of man, religion notwithstanding.

The disc was recorded last December in Northern California with producer Andy Sneap (Megadeth, Arch Enemy, Kreator) and is scheduled for release on May 18. As a teaser, Exodus have posted the full album track 'Class Dismissed (A Hate Primer).'

"It's about one of America's favorite pastimes -- the school shooting," Holt said. "The song was primarily inspired by the massacre at Virginia Tech, as well as Columbine and the many other instances of unhinged individuals who decided to take out their wrath on their classmates, going all the way back to Charles J. Whitman, [who climbed a tower at the Austin campus of the University of Texas in 1966 and opened fire]."

The demo version for another track from 'Exhibit B: The Human Condition,' 'Hammer and Life,' was also recently posted. The song is the band's ode to original Exodus vocalist Paul Baloff, who was fired after the band's first album, the heralded 1985 thrash classic 'Bonded by Blood.' Baloff was replaced by Steve 'Zetro' Souza in 1986 for the 1987 album 'Pleasures of the Flesh.' Baloff returned in 1997 and performed on the live album 'Another Lesson in Violence.' In February 2002, he suffered a stroke and died soon after.

Nuclear Blast USA's online shop will be issuing an exclusive mail-order edition of 'Exhibit B: The Human Condition,' featuring a slipcase with different artwork (to be unveiled soon) plus the North American bonus track 'Devil's Teeth.'